Chapter Fifteen: So Angry I Tore Off My Clothes

"I'm truly not a thief, why won't you believe me? Hey, hey, hey! Stop pulling me!" No matter how he tried to clear his name, Yu Hualiang felt as if he were trying to wash away a stain in the Yellow River—impossible. Mo Cai was just as anxious. Why was their luck so abysmal today?

"Senior brother, something's happened at your family's bookstore!" Mu Qi called out, glancing at the noisy crowd ahead.

Chang Zihao's expression was sour. "Let's go take a look!"

"Still denying it? Come with me to see the magistrate!" The shopkeeper's grip on Yu Hualiang's wrist was painfully tight. Yu Hualiang, weak from recent illness, had barely recovered and still felt drained of all strength. One tug from the shopkeeper and he was dragged right along.

As they stepped outside, they ran straight into Chang Zihao. Upon recognizing Yu Hualiang, Chang Zihao's face froze, as though recalling the sting of a previous defeat, and he turned to leave at once.

Yu Hualiang, seeing a lifeline, shouted desperately, "Third brother! Where are you running off to?"

The shopkeeper looked up and recognized Chang Zihao, greeting him respectfully, "Young Master!"

Knowing escape was futile, Chang Zihao turned back, eyeing Yu Hualiang up and down. He wore rough linen, his face haggard, as if his family had been through some disaster.

Chang Zihao approached, signaling the shopkeeper to release him, then looked Yu Hualiang over with open disapproval. "Senior brother? What are you doing here? Still wearing that? Are you hoping I'll give you some money?"

His gaze grew more disdainful the longer he looked. The Yu family was not as wealthy as the Chang family, but surely not so poor as to send him begging.

Yu Hualiang wanted to explain, but the truth was, he had come to borrow money.

The shopkeeper, watching the two, handed over a jade pendant. "Young Master, your jade pendant..."

Chang Zihao recognized it instantly—it was the one he had lost to Yu Hualiang in a wager just the other day, and the pawnshop was right next door. Did Yu Hualiang intend to pawn it?

The thought infuriated Chang Zihao. That jade pendant represented his status as young master, and Yu Hualiang was planning to pawn it as if it were nothing. In a flash, he clamped his hand around Yu Hualiang's throat. "Yu Hualiang! Are you so desperate for cash that you'd pawn my jade pendant?"

Yu Hualiang's head spun from the pressure; neither Mu Qi nor Mo Cai could pry Chang Zihao off. In Mu Qi's memory, no matter how angry Chang Zihao had gotten, he had never raised a hand to anyone. This was the first time he had seen him so furious.

Watching Yu Hualiang nearly suffocate, Mo Cai could only sigh inwardly—today was truly a day of misfortune for his young master.

The shopkeeper, seeing a fight break out and that the assailant was his own young master, was at a loss, while the gathering crowd on the street watched with relish as the scene unfolded.

In no time, the Chang family’s bookstore was surrounded by onlookers. Mo Cai, desperate, bit Chang Zihao’s hand hard enough to draw blood. Only then did he let go, though he still seemed poised to kick Yu Hualiang a few times if not for Mu Qi holding him back with all his strength.

Chang Zihao cursed, "Yu Hualiang! Enough already! Yes, I lost to you, and left my family heirloom as collateral! And now you want to sell it?"

Coughing, Yu Hualiang managed to choke out, "You... you think I want to? If I weren't in trouble, would I sell it?"

The accusation made Yu Hualiang feel even more wronged. He retorted angrily, "You think this is what I wanted? The doorkeepers at Prince Seven's mansion wouldn't let me in, thought I dressed too poorly. Then I come here—"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, glaring down at his clothes. In a fit of frustration, he began to strip off his robe, muttering as he did so, "Came here, and now they think I'm a thief because I'm holding this stupid jade. I just wanted to borrow some money! It's all because of these damn clothes!"

Before he finished, he yanked his robe off and hurled it to the ground, standing there in just two layers of thin white undergarments, loosened from the struggle, exposing the snowy skin of his chest.

His hair was a disheveled cascade, and his handsome face was flushed with anger, brows furrowed, his eyes brimming with tears of rage and humiliation. At this moment, even the most beautiful woman could not compare. Every onlooker was utterly transfixed.

Yu Hualiang, still stinging from the earlier scuffle, leapt up and landed a punch on Chang Zihao before anyone could react.

The shopkeeper hurried to separate them. "How dare you hit our young master! Quick, drag him to the magistrate!"

Mo Cai was indignant, pulling the shopkeeper back. "Your young master started it! Why should ours be arrested?"

"Enough!"

Time seemed to freeze. Chang Zihao, now supported by Mu Qi, clutched his eye, clearly struck hard.

His voice softened unexpectedly. "I was wrong. Shopkeeper Wang, let him go."

Reluctantly, the shopkeeper released Yu Hualiang.

"Chang Zihao! Are you out of your mind? Jumping to conclusions—do you think I covet your ugly money?" Yu Hualiang shouted.

Chang Zihao bit his lip, eyes wide. Seeing the two about to fight again, the crowd quickly jumped in to restrain them.

But Chang Zihao shook them off. "Yu Hualiang, today I, Chang Zihao, admit I wronged you! I will remember our three-year agreement, but don't take it too far!"

Only then did Yu Hualiang remember their three-year pact. He calmed down, put on a straight face, and said, "Lend me some money."

Chang Zihao nearly choked. After all this trouble and high-minded talk, it still came down to borrowing money. He saw Yu Hualiang in a new light, indeed.

"Ziliang, I will lend you the money."

Yu Hualiang felt a chill down his spine at the voice behind him. Everyone immediately knelt in reverence, "Long live Prince Seven!"

Prince Seven looked at the disheveled young man before him, his bruised neck and pitiful state stirring a dark, possessive urge within him. He stepped past the others, helped Yu Hualiang up, and draped his own cloak over his shoulders.

Yu Hualiang, dazed by the prince’s presence, felt his grievances welling up. He bowed his head and said, "At last, I meet you, Prince Seven!"

The prince was taken aback. Had he endured all this just to see him? He’d expected Yu Hualiang to arrive long ago and had come back early to wait. Spotting the commotion by his gate, he feared someone was causing trouble, only to witness Yu Hualiang in a rage, flinging his clothes.

Yu Hualiang had only spoken the truth, but judging by the prince’s expression, he’d clearly misunderstood.

Patting Yu Hualiang’s shoulder, the prince said, "Ziliang, come home with me."

Amidst the stares of the crowd, Prince Seven forcibly ushered Yu Hualiang into his carriage.

Inside, an awkward silence fell. The prince busied himself with tea, smiling in a way that made Yu Hualiang’s hair stand on end.

After a moment, the prince asked, "Ziliang, will you tell me what happened?"

Accepting the tea, Yu Hualiang replied, "Your gatekeeper is truly formidable… wouldn't let me in." He pouted over his tea, eyes wounded, his demeanor more delicate than any maiden's.

Watching him, the prince suddenly leaned in close, startling Yu Hualiang, who stiffened, eyes fixed warily on the prince’s every move.

The prince, amused by his reaction, deliberately reached for his neck and, with a gaze as soft as spring water, asked, "Does it hurt, Ziliang?"

Warm fingers brushed his skin, and Yu Hualiang tensed instantly, the gentle touch making him shudder involuntarily. At last, he couldn't take it anymore.

He seized the prince’s hand, cheeks flushed, his expression tinged with fear. "Please don't trouble yourself, Prince Seven. It doesn't hurt, not at all!"

The prince smiled. "Why are you afraid of me, Ziliang?"

Caught off guard, Yu Hualiang froze. How could he say the truth—that he feared the prince was interested in men? But he couldn't possibly say that aloud. While he hesitated, the prince saw through him entirely.

"Are you worried that I might favor men, that I’ll do something to you?"

Yu Hualiang was speechless, lowering his head in embarrassment. "Forgive me, Prince Seven."

"Why do you apologize, Ziliang?" the prince pressed.

"I…" Now Yu Hualiang felt he was in the wrong. The prince had never done anything improper, and here he was suspecting him of ill intent.

Seeing that he could not answer, the prince relented. "I have said before, Ziliang, you and I are fated. From now on, we are brothers. I am wholly sincere with you, and I hope you will let down your guard."

"Yes, yes, as you say, Prince Seven," Yu Hualiang replied.

The prince’s brows drew together in displeasure. "Ziliang, perhaps refrain from saying that in the future."

"…"

The carriage arrived at the prince's mansion. Yu Hualiang alighted with Prince Seven and, spotting the gatekeeper, couldn't help but feel vindicated.

The prince, noting the exchange, asked, "Ziliang, was it he who turned you away?"

The guard, realizing his grave mistake, fell to his knees with a thud, tears streaming down his face. "Spare me, Prince Seven, I failed to recognize greatness!"

Yu Hualiang looked on coldly, savoring the moment. Mo Cai, arriving with Ye Fang, felt the guard deserved it, and even wanted to kick him himself to vent his anger.

The prince ordered coldly, "Ye Fang, take him away."

The guard, panicked, even tried to crawl over and cling to Yu Hualiang's leg, but Yu Hualiang quickly hid behind the prince.

"Young Master Yu, it was my failing! I did not mean to offend you—please, for the sake of my family, say a few words on my behalf!"

Yu Hualiang wasn’t truly angry; a gatekeeper should be cautious. But remembering the guard’s earlier rudeness, he felt a mild punishment was in order.

The prince awaited his decision. Yu Hualiang said, "A light punishment will suffice."

At his words, the color drained from the guard’s face. Even Ye Fang’s gaze was strange. Yu Hualiang felt wronged—was it really so severe? At most, a light beating.

With the matter settled, Yu Hualiang followed the prince into the inner courtyard, where the prince personally selected a residence for him.

"Ziliang, do you like it here?"

Yu Hualiang surveyed the garden—pavilions, bamboo, plum, pine, and lotus. Though not large, the scenery was exquisite. Just standing there, he felt his spirits lift.

"I love it. It’s beautiful," he blurted out, then added, "Thank you, Prince Seven."

"Ziliang," the prince gazed at him tenderly, "Just call me Zicheng. Make yourself at home here."

Yu Hualiang nodded, struggling to utter the words, "Alright… Zicheng."